Montana Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites

When understanding that each state provides different laws and regulations about sports betting, it makes following the progress of Montana sportsbooks and sports betting sites even easier. Sports betting is an exciting activity that can up the ante on the enjoyment of watching your favorite athletic events and teams. From hockey and baseball to basketball, football, and virtually everything in between, sports betting of this kind is found all over Montana.

On this page, we will dive into all of the topics surrounding Montana sports betting, from its current laws to your options to get started. We not only provide a detailed overview of the changes to the sports betting industry in the country and state but also look into the small details about sportsbooks in general. Be sure to check out or reviewed sportsbooks too – as promotional codes are included to help you win money before you even get started.

Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Montana?

When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed back in 1992, the state was granted the ability to create very limited sports betting opportunities for its residents on a federal level. At the time, it had chosen, instead, to create state laws that prohibit sports betting operators from offering and accepting bets. Once PASPA was repealed by the Supreme Court in May 2018, Montana had a change of heart. The following year in May 2019, the state decided to leaglize sports wagering once again.

Montana became the ninth state in the country to legalize sports betting, as legislators agreed to terms allowing it in taverns and other gambling facilities. Operated by the state lottery, it is now legal to bet on sports in Montana both through their online betting platform as well as in-person.

Those looking to find the best lines should also consider signing up for an offshore betting site. Not only are these 100% legal, but they generally offer better odds, more betting options, and a platform that can be accessed from anywhere around the country (or world). There are a few restrictions when it comes to the state-run operations, so be sure to not miss out on any action by signing up with one of the sportsbooks we review below.

There is only way real way to get into trouble for placing a bet online in Montana – by using a local betting site that is unlicensed. As long as you stick with the licensed operator (the state lottery) with in-state options or stick with licensed and regulated offshore accounts, you will have nothing to worry about. While it would be convenient to be able to place a bet online with a Nevada sportsbook, there are federal laws preventing the operators from taking your action. If you try to gamble this way, you won’t get in trouble, but you also won’t be able to physically make a wager.

Where Can Montana Residents Bet Sports Online?

You have a few opportunities to bet on sports online in Montana and that is by using any regulated offshore betting site or by using the in-state platform that is overseen by the lottery. Both of these methods allow for Montana residents to safely and legally get into the action, but be aware of the numerous bookmakers on the internet that are untrustworthy. So, to keep yourself safe, only trust the sportsbooks reviewed below, as these are highly reputable operators that look out for their players.

Using the system that Bovada has set up is exceptionally easy—and exciting. When you log into this website you will be greeted by an appealing design and an interface that fosters the ability to quickly navigate your way to the sportsbook section.

Once you get to the sportsbook, Bovada provides you with a list of the top five betting lines to help you quickly find the day's most popular events. Of course, you will be able to bet on all the games of the day, not only those on the top of the betting boards. Simply choose the game or match you want to wager on, and then place your bet!

In addition to the top five betting lines, the first page of the sportsbook allows you to quickly access highlighted events. These eagerly anticipated showdowns are highly popular and you will enjoy the experience of betting on them. Bovada is a favorite among players because the website is easy to use and the company has an outstanding reputation. You will have a great time when you join this betting community, and new Montana members who sign up now can get a $250 sports welcome bonus with the industry’s lowest rollover requirements of just 5X.

One of the first things that catch players' attention when they log onto Bet Online is the list of major media sources on its homepage. The logos of ESPN, Boston Herald, Yahoo! Sports, CNBC, and USA Today lend this website an air of credibility that it has certainly worked hard for.

The main goal of BetOnline is to create long-term relationships with players. The goal of the organization is to create a community of sports betting enthusiasts who have a great time wagering on their favorite athletic events—among other gambling options. As such, the bookmaker has gone the extra mile in terms of creating a supportive community that players want to engage in.

Aside from sports betting opportunities, members of this community have access to casino-style games and poker, as well as an international pari-mutuel racebook for fans of the ponies.

BetOnline is highly regarded by the online gambling industry. This is a wonderful place to start if you are looking to get involved in sports betting on the World Wide Web, and new members who sign up today can get a 50% deposit match bonus worth up to $1000 in free-plays.

5Dimes is a leading member of the online gambling community because it has such a fine reputation for customer support. Players who join this bookmaker's community receive high-quality customer service that allows them to enjoy virtually every aspect of their experience. But this isn't the only reason why players keep coming back to 5Dimes for their sports betting needs.

The wide range of gambling options available to members of this community is unmatched. 5Dimes offers a diverse sportsbook, casino-style games, a live dealer, mini-games, a racebook, a lottery, poker, and even skill games. The best part of 5Dimes, however, is that their sportsbook allows bettors to set their own lines by “buying points.” Though this feature is available at other books, 5Dimes puts the customization options at the forefront.

When it comes time to deposit money at 5Dimes, members are able to choose from a list of methods, ensuring that they can do so in a manner that is convenient to them. Visa, person to person, cashier's checks, money orders, sportsbook transfers, account to account transfers, and Bitcoin are all accepted for deposits. Sign up today, and 5Dimes will give you up to $520 in sportsbook free-plays, and all members are eligible for 5Dimes’ invaluable Reduced Juice program.

No online sportsbook is perfect, but BookMaker comes pretty close. They offer every sport that you can think of, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and NHL. In addition to the major sports leagues, you can also wager on MMA/UFC, tennis, golf, rugby, surfing, esports, and other less common markets. The betting options at BookMaker are also quite impressive, with plenty of game lines and alternative lines. The site accepts action on both straight and exotic wagers, including point spreads, totals, parlays, teasers, and if-bets.

Proposition bets are those where you can bet on the outcome of various scenarios, and BookMaker offers more props than anyone else. NFL fans can enjoy plenty of Super Bowl props that include receiving props, QB props, passing props, defense/special teams props, and more. During March Madness, you can bet on how many points or rebounds a player will get or wager on odds that a No. 1 seed will win the NCAA Championship. The list is virtually endless. BookMaker is where you should go when you want the best selection of game, team, and player props, and new players from Montana who join today can get the industry’s only real cash bonus just for signing up!

Sports betting in Montana became legal when Governor Bullock signed HB 725 into law. Under this measure, the state lottery regulates the sports betting industry, which is available both through land-based and online options. With this law in effect, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the sports betting laws in Montana unless you plan on using an unregulated bookmaker. Not only is this dangerous, but it can put both you and the bookmaker is trouble for illegal gambling.

This is a two-part question, as there are USA online sportsbooks that are regulated by the state as well as those that are not. When looking to use an online sportsbook that is located in the state and offered by the state lottery, it is indeed a regulated sportsbook. You may come across an opportunity to play the odds with an online site that is based in the state but does is not overseen by the lottery. In this case, stay away from these options.

Don’t let that stop you from using offshore betting sites that are both legal for Montana residents and not regulated by the state, though. For these options, regulations are sent down from their home countries, which play an important role in the safety and security of your betting habits. All of the sites we review above fit in this category, being safe and legal to use as well as regulated by a non-Montana entity.

Current State Of Online Sports Betting In Montana

While Montana doesn't have a long list of professional sports teams, its residents are certainly involved in betting on their favorite athletic events and popular teams from surrounding states. Now that the lottery operates the industry within the state, you can find betting options both online and in-person at lottery retailers. Keep in mind that betting lines are different across every book throughout the world. Make sure to join a legal offshore sports betting community that has a great reputation in order to find the best ones. The books that are reviewed above are wonderful places to start your search for the perfect bookmaker and odds! Once you join one (or multiple) of these websites you can start figuring out which book is best for you to use.

Montana Sports Betting FAQs

Does The Wire Act Make Sports Betting Illegal?

The Wire Act of 1961 does not make sports betting illegal, but it does have implications for gambling businesses. The Wire Act prohibits sports betting businesses from transmitting or receiving interstate wagers via the internet and other forms of wire communications. It is important to know that the law specifically targets US operators, not those who are placing bets. You can use any online sportsbook, as long as they are offshore or located in Montana, and you will not be in violation of the Wire Act.

Can You Make Parlay Bets Online?

You can make parlay bets online at any of the top online sportsbooks. Parlay bets are an excellent way to maximize your profits with substantially larger payoffs. Most sportsbooks will allow anywhere between 2 and 23 bets to be parlayed on a single ticket, though most casual bettors stick to no more than 6 or so. Instead of having to figure out your potential payoff on your own, sportsbooks provide parlay calculators that you can use before you commit to any wager. The same goes for the sportsbooks available within the state of Montana.

Why You Should Never Chase Losses

We often get asked about common mistakes that sports bettor makes, and chasing losses is at the top of the list. No one wins them all and some days you will find that your Ls seem to be outweighing your Ws. There will be a temptation to just continue betting in order to start recouping your losses, but this is not a good strategy to have. While you may start winning again in some situations, it is also a very real possibility that you may end up losing even more and run out of money. There is no knowing in advance whether you will have a good or a bad run, and continuing a bad streak is worse than just cutting your losses. Always keep your overall bankroll in mind when placing wagers and stick to a reasonable limit that you can actually afford to lose.

Why Didn’t Montana Offer Sports Betting When PASPA Was Overturned?

Montana originally had a very limited PASPA exemption to offer sports tabs and sports pools at venues that have liquor licenses. However, this was such a narrow part of sports betting that the legislators wanted to expand into single-game wagering before allowing just a sliver of the sports betting industry. Montana made its sports betting laws official in May of 2019 and can now offer full-service sportsbooks about the state.

When will Montana legalize sports betting at in-state locations?

Where have you been? This already happened. Under HB 725, sports betting became legal in the state of Montana, in which bettors can use a retail or online location for betting. The lottery oversees the industry and will allow you to place wagers whenever you wish. You can find yourself in the middle of a parlay, futures bet, in-play wagering, or even just a simple straight bet.

Is online sports betting safe and secure in Montana?

Absolutely. You can safely wager on sports over the Internet in Montana by using a reputable offshore sportsbook or the state-run lottery platform. The top Internet betting sites all use state-of-the-art security and encryption measures and will generally post better lines than you could find with the in-state counterparts. Rest assured knowing your personal information is never sold to any third parties and because these sites don’t require dedicated apps, you are always guaranteed to be using the most updated, secure version of your favorite sportsbook anytime you log on.

What are the most popular teams to bet on in Montana?

Montana doesn’t have any professional teams to speak of, and their NCAA footprint is also small, with the Montana Grizzlies (University of Montana) and the Montana State Bobcats (Montana State University) being the only Division I teams in the state. For pro clubs, MT residents’ allegiances are spread around geographically, as they prefer to wager on the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), the Seattle Mariners (MLB), the Utah Jazz (NBA), and the Colorado Avalanche (NHL).

Can I make private sports bets with my friends in Montana?

Yes. Like most states, private “social” betting is allowed in Montana. The caveat here is that nobody may play the role of the “house” or the “sportsbook.” In other words, as long as nobody is collecting a fee for operating the sports wagering “venue,” there is no crime being committed when friends make wagers between one another. Just make sure that you trust your pals, because there’s no recourse if Jimmy doesn’t want to pay up when he loses that big bet to Steve. So save your friendships and stick to online sportsbooks!